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After a one week break, Cast Bender has returned to relieve us of this ridiculous news hiatus.

The show begins with some discussion pertaining to the Rift-Part 3. Part 1 just recently made its way into the bookstores so, news pertaining to Part 3 is slowly beginning to hit the internet.

After, Cast Bender discusses the details of the Book 2 Blu-Ray DVD. Strangely enough, news about the DVD has been just about the only real Avatar-related news released over the past several weeks. That really needs to end soon because I can sense that many people in this fandom are beginning to lose their minds. Just an observation, obviously, but I’d prefer to see excitement throughout the community rather than constant rage and anger.

To close out the show, Cast Bender relays some very interesting statistics about The Legend of Korra and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Upon comparing these statistics, you may be surprised by the amount of success The Legend of Korra has had when compared to Avatar: The Last Airbender.

It’s closer than you think.

The hour-long show should curb your Korra-hunger for the time being. Be sure to leave your thoughts on the show in the comments below.

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We are talking about Part 3 being announced in the podcast, looks like Keval made a small mistake.

Sibis

One change the Korra series could do is to steer away from the deception angle which has been overly played in Book 1+2. I’ve had enough of friends lying to each other and the believie they are the best buds. Maybe Korra and Asami can for once have a season without someone lying to their face.

Ariana Moreno

that sounds good. and i want to see team avatar with a stronger bond, and a common enemy this time. it feels much better when the people in team avatar matter to one another and are like family, as opposed to it being like mean girls, where everyone basically stabs each other in the backs the last thing we need in this book are more distracting subplots with drama between the group, when there are greater conflicts in the plot that everyone should work together to resolve.

Cast Bender Podcast

I agree. I never looked at that angle before. We will talk about these comments next week, great angle! Thanks!

Sibis

In Book 2, there has been an increase in deception behavior that Book 1 had.

Korra’s past is summed up living on a compound because of a lie by her father and mentor.

Most of Korra’s direction in Book 2 even to the very end was manipulated by Unalaq’s deception, words, and the times he’s able to have a 1up over her. The only time she had a chance to do something was when he had everything he wanted from her. Then in the very end, her portal decision chose Unalaq over Wan.

Cast Bender Podcast

Sibis great analysis. We are going to be talking about this next week in depth!

Sibis

Book 2 seems to detract from Korra’s intelligence, independence, composure, and the judgement for the kind of decision at the end. I’m still left with doubts towards the very line Tenzin said to Korra being ready to act on her own.

Another thing I would like to see change is this “Korra’s ass getting owned in both Book 1 and 2 by her main antagonist, where she is reduced to lying on the ground at their feet.”

It’s the same major mistake by two different enemies where they continue to let Korra draw breath while they believe she’s harmless from then on.

Korra’s enemies are essentially pulling their punches compared to TLA where it’s spelled out that Aang’s enemies want his corpse to burn.

Jack Spaulding

I agree, but that just wouldn’t make much of a story. Korra should have annihilated/scorched/smashed Unaloq in the Civil Wars episodes. If it was intended that she blew him way out of reach (air tunnel effect) they should have shown more distance.

Also maybe UnaVaatu wanted Korra witness the destruction

Jack Spaulding

This is a different scenario. Wan didn’t destroy Vaatu, Korra did. IMO the only reasons she left the portals open is because there would be less of a chance for chaos to flourish.

One of my predictions is that humans will have some animosity towards sprirts, and it will affect Korra’s inner spirit. I think she may need to control anger/rage to deal with the conflicts while the world is attacking her physically/mentally. In the end she will show them that it is more beneficial to live in harmony.

Sibis

“What if Unalaq was right when he said the Avatar shouldn’t be a bridge between the two worlds? What if Avatar Wan made a mistake when he closed the portals? What if humans and spirits weren’t meant to live apart? Well, what do you think I should do?”

There is mention of chaos. Korra in the very end gave more weight to Unalaq’s view over Wan’s.

Sibis

Friends are friends when they actually give a care about each other. They want to do everything in their power to help each other and not harm them.

There needs to be more Korra helping her friends to show they just aren’t there to always help her solely.

Link9150

Yes, YES! No more lying and backstabbing, ATLA was about how your friends become your family, why not keep this up then? I’m not really into watching girls bonding in shows, but goddammit I want to see Korra and Asami become good friends. They are literally compatible to become such good friends, to hate each other for a liar and douchebag is wasted potential and a shame.

Sibis

Lying and backstabbing are gone, then Mako will have to do something else since that was his bread and butter.

Without lying and backstabbing, Korra will have less reason to get angry and run off on her own.

Korrava

Great episode! Also, to answer your question about how the ratings were after Book 1 of Korra. I remember checking after Book 1 ended, I checked regularly each month, and was brought down to an 8.5. Right now it’s an 8.7.

Cast Bender Podcast

Thanks for the information and thanks for listening!

Ariana Moreno

hey, you -.-…….i miss you X)

Korrava

Me too.

Link9150

Am I the only one that found the Rift to be a bit of a disappointment? Not like Book 2 where it’s frustrating, just… disappointing, as in I expected more. And I don’t want to hear the “they’re just introducing you to the story, settling you into the story” line.The guy, Satoru something… THIS is the guy that will marry Toph? Lame. I always expected someone more suitable like a real badass. And the story seems very predictable “evil spirit attacks a new founded town and Aang saves teh day and everybody’s happy in the end”…Not to mention we need to wait so long for three simple issues to come out… Mangas that are 2 to 3 times bigger come out every month. What’s the excuse for The Rift to come out every three months.

korosh

I think Yangchen’s story and Toph’s relationship with her parents are the most important and interesting parts of The Rift. Although the story is predicatble but the sales are very good.

Cast Bender Podcast

I think it is okay to be disappointed! I think it was good basis for what is to come with Part 2 and 3. Hopefully the story picks up and we learn a lot more about Yangchen and Toph’s story.

AvatarAlain

I really agree with you, its such a long wait for just 3 short issues to a comic but i actually like the rift soo far, its all about how the world of avatar is slowly becoming the world of we see in korra wich is cool

Link9150

Seeing how the world goes from “Feudal times” to “Industrial times” isn’t the best plot this franchise can have, but hey at least it’s better than Nuktuk or Varrick’s subplots so I’m not complaining.

Sibis

I wouldn’t compare them to manga which are generally monochrome and don’t need to spend time on color.

However, compared to regular comics. About a 12-25 page book can come out once a month.

Link9150

Ok, ok… coloring doesn’t take 3 months to do, especially not in a small issue like The Rift. They just killed the hype for The Search last year. They keep finding new ways of extending everything out of this franchise, it’s psychotic.

Ariana Moreno

its money bro. money. they want to try multiple methods of making as much money as possible. you would agree right?

Link9150

I don’t see how extending small issues can make more money, not to mention half the fandom reads it online. Since the “dry-spell” started I realized how full of shit the marketing for this show is.
Few examples of how other marketing hypes up their fandom:
– Amazing Spider-Man 2 release date: May 2nd 2014, trailer release (2 min and 30 seconds): Dec. 5th 2013 (6 months before) + 4 other trailers + 1-3 minute featurettes.
– The Hobbit started on Dec. 14th 2012, 10 minute-long production videos were released months before the trailer did.
– Godzilla. Release date: May 16th 2014. First teaser: December 10th 2013 + 2 other trailers.
I can go on and on, my point is that other franchises know how to hype their fandom in a satisfactory way. The reason why I’m starting to lose patience is when I realized how big franchises do it so well, and LOK is a big franchise. It’s a cluster-fuck to the mind to see how 2-hour long movies get so many long trailers and a 13 episode season gets nothing but irrelevant screenshots.

Ariana Moreno

yeah, i get you. i was just thinking that the money thing is their mindset: expand franchise with comics, and get more profit. honestly, i also think nick has a lot to do with this lack of advertising and delay of updates..they seem to not want korra on their network anymore after seeing what book 2 did…it’s like they are trying to just make fans forget korra, so that they can cancel it or something. its just my guess. but yeah, i hear you. who knows what the heck is going on with all of this stuff….

Link9150

They can’t cancel it since they paid for production for all four books.

Ariana Moreno

yeah. glad to know that. but really, this is irritating and i get what you are saying. i just have that sick feeling with the network…i just see a lack of logic here with the way things are being handled. if i were the creators or the network, id do everything i could to hype up the fandom for my work! its only a win win for everyone!

Ariana Moreno

more advertising=more hype=higher ratings=higher profits. and these guys seem to not understand that simple way of how things should work

Link9150

Even if Book 3 airs in the Fall, they should start advertising now. Most games, movies and TV shows are now announced at least 6 months prior.

Ariana Moreno

yea. i am seriously hoping they will learn from all of their mistakes with book 2 last time…

Cast Bender Podcast

I agree Nick isn’t the best with marketing but I’m okay with the gap between the comics, honestly it gives me a break and I realize if I got it all at once I would have nothing else to look forward to in the fandom.

Link9150

That’s true. Having something to look forward is a pretty awesome feeling, it raises discussion and hype. But if the comics were way bigger and were taken more serious, then maybe, yes. But we’re talking about a mere 20-30 page issue that can be read in less than 10 minutes.

Cast Bender Podcast

Hey, each to their own. I personally spend a while reading, dissecting and taking multiple reads at each issue. That is like saying a mere episode of Korra which is 23 minutes long defeats the purpose since it takes months to animate, design, colour, music, etc. each episode. Liken that to each issue of the comic. It takes time and effort. I guess that is how I justify it.

Link9150

Let’s be honest, these issues aren’t no where near the production level of a Korra episode. Drawings are kind of pretty basic, we’re not talking Marvel or DC here where a character and setting looks very realistic where you can see every shadow and muscle and all those details.

As for the story, it’s no George Orwell, there’s nothing to re-read or find symbolism, it’s pretty straight forward; Aang is warned about a danger, Aang goes to danger, Aang has a little conflict with Toph, conflict is resolved two pages later with an obvious apology and end of story. The only twist is Toph’s father’s return which is only used to hype the fans for the next issue, remember the letter that Zuko read about not being the real son of Ozai? Yeah, that turned well, huh?

Cast Bender Podcast

You deeply underestimate the value of the comics. If you were at all part of any creative industry (In fact I am, so I’m not spouting out randomness) then you would understand that the comics take quite a bit of production to create. Alas, a television show will have more, but don’t fill me with some propaganda about how the comics are useless because you dislike them. If you look at Marvel and DC comics they are no were near the quality you are trying to presume, some are of a high standard, but a large portion are just your run of the mill comic.

Of course this isn’t George Orwell, this is a graphic novel not a traditional novel, different mediums, different methods of storytelling. That is comparing apples to oranges. Plus, George Orwell is extremely rare as an author (slightly overrated) and wrote completely different stories than we are dealing with here. If you have studied anything like construction of story, writing, communication, illustration, even film or similar classes (which again, I have) you’d understand the depth of something even so simply on the surface.

Now, you don’t have to like the comics, just don’t assume something so naive as to believe they aren’t actually time consuming, complex and a great piece of work in their own regard.

Jack Spaulding

I applaud you.

Link9150

Woah… Calm down. Take a deep breath and calm down. You said it takes you time to read these comics, when I said it’s no George Orwell I meant to say that once you read the comics there’s no re-reading part to do since there’s no symbolism, or any analyzing to do. It’s straight forward as I said and explained.

Also, good for you, you’re in the “creative industry”, I’m happy for you I really am. But anyone, and I mean anyone can see that the production for The Rift is far from complex or that it can take three months to make one issue. Also, you think someone needs to be in the “creative industry” to compare a Marvel comic to another comic?

Also, you’re tryinig to tell me that creating a story like The Rift takes so much skill? Please… They’re recycling the story from Book 1 when Aang goes back to the Northern Air Temple and see those new industries taking over a sacred land. Mean (soon to be misunderstood) spirit attacking the inocent Hmm… That sounds familiar OH YES! It’s the same story from Book 1 when Aang meets Hei Bai as he attacks the innocent. Toph being rebellious against Aang’s way of living? Ohohoho, that’s new and original, right there. But it’s ok amd justified because we can witness how the Avatar world went from Feudal time Asia to the 1850 industrial era which is learned in Elementary School but this is in the Avatar world so it’s totally cool for people to pay money to see the same story but “Avatar version”

But please, don’t listen to me, I’m not in the “creative industry” so I don’t know jackshit, oh and comparing two different art styles is dumb for me to make because I haven’t studied in a “creative” program. Oh and please tell me how you can justify The Rift’s art style justifying a three month release between each issue. ALSO, don’t say I looked down on the Rift because of the art style because that is not true.

Cast Bender Podcast

I was having a discussion I am completely calm, don’t use that for your argument. I merely stated I was in the industry to bring further validity to point, to prove the fact that what I am saying is not merely bull crap.

You honestly can’t compare two completely different art styles and mediums. They are rendered completely differently and to say Marvel or DC is better because of their art style that is farfetched. That is like saying The Clone Wars series is far better animated than Korra (Which by your standards of how Marvel and DC shade their cells in their frames, compared to The Rift) which isn’t close to the case.

Link9150

You clearly haven’t read my whole post. Reply when you have. Because you clearly haven’t.

Cast Bender Podcast

I have, all you can seem to conclude is that it is a poor story and a poor comic, I’d to see someone as “stimulating” and “create” as you display the talent that is displayed in the comics.

I am made many films, written story stories, etc. I have made quite a bit of money for education. I’m glad to you my credentials to prove my knowledge if you give me your email.

Link9150

Great for you. Please tell me how that makes you the “right one”. Can’t even handle criticism. Please, use your “creative knowledge” and explain to me what makes The Rift so special, I told you and gave you concrete examples why don’t you?

Cast Bender Podcast

I am not saying I am better, I am rebutting you baseless claims. You ask me to respond… I do and am willing for you to just discredit what I say without any base. I don’t care if you like or dislike the comics, you haven’t watched the episode so I really don’t have anything to say to you. Since this episode isn’t even about the comics. Please if you’d like to discuss the comics feel free to email us.

Link9150

I could care less about your puny episode. I criticize the comics, giving MY OPINION and you start bragging about how you’re in the “Creative Industry”. You’re just mad because someone said your beloved comic is flawed. Cry me a river.

Cast Bender Podcast

I agree it is flawed, never said it wasn’t. I love your opinion Link, it is great to debate. We try to keep the discussion about what was actually said in the episode.

Link9150

Every time someone has a different opinion on this blog everybody jumps on him. I hate censorship. Unless I’m spamming, I can’t say whatever I want and raise a new discussion if I fucking want to.

Cast Bender Podcast

Why are you swearing, I’m raising the question why not debate what is actually at hand? Doesn’t that make sense. I have no time for your “Internet Tough Guy” routine.

Link9150

Internet tough guy? No one’s trying to be tough. You’re the one that’s not debating what’s at hand. I criticize the comic and you imply that I’m not good enough to criticize it. Here’s a quote too “I’d to see someone as “stimulating” and “create” as you display the talent that is displayed in the comics.” You try to make me look like crap and expect me to shut up? Fuck you.

Cast Bender Podcast

You implied you were better than the creation of Gene Yang, I don’t see your body of work, show me and that will make sense. I am glad you find solace in your aggression.

Korrava

I applaud you, Link.

Ariana Moreno

don’t worry about them. i am with you on this. like you said, they are just upset because they can’t handle someone else’s opinion. and they are probably still ashamed that people left the forum because of them XD

Link9150

Thanks. Always great to have you on my side. But seriously, people can`t handle criticizsm. I wasn`t even trolling. People these days…

Ariana Moreno

i completely get ya, so no worries. like you always say, don’t waste your time with these sissies XD if someone refuses to understand true logic, thats their problem. i didnt see you trolling at all. i mean its a dry spell anyway, we need controversy right? or something to talk about?

Link9150

I just hate it how people see CastBender as the victim when they started degrading me first. Something is seriously wrong with this fandom.

Ariana Moreno

i get you. i do. its just a shame that this fandom can’t handle a little discussion from opposing views as well. if people are sensitive, that’s only gonna hurt them in life. not you.

Matt Brown

Link9150, you need to stop attacking @castbenderpodcast:disqus . They are right. If the Rift wasn’t worth reading, then they wouldn’t have spent an hour or so discussing, analyzing and PODCASTING about it a couple of weeks ago. The art wont be the same because its not Marvel or DC, it’s Avatar, which is far more satisfying in my opinion. Since you seem to be a die hard fan of ATLA and TLOK (just as I and he hosts of Cast Bender are) then you should sure as hell know that Mike and Bryan are more than original. What other show have you seen that’s on the same scale as the Avatar franchise??? You deeply discredit the comics and the people that put their effort into it. And you deeply discredit Cast Bender! I’ve noticed several times that when ever an argument is started on this blog, you seem to be at the center of it. I personally am going to have to ask you to STOP! Just because you dont like something, doesn’t mean that you have to ruin it for everyone else and complain about it… honestly. You suddenly attacked Tyrell, Aj, and Teagan about an episode that you haven’t even bothered to listen to yet. I, myself have honestly had enough of seeing you constantly attack everyone for their opinions. You think you everything and you’re arrogant. This is a community, which means that everyone has a different opinion or idea that they’d like to share with the rest of the fandom. That’s how the community grows!!! I’ve honestly heald my tongue with you since you first became an active follower of this blog and I have had enough. You, my friend, are one of the many people that make this a somewhat bitter fandom. I kind of want to skip up your post everytime I see that you posted a comment because you’re attitude disgusts me.

Link9150

You guys have clearly not read my arguments. When I talked about the art style I meant to say that how can Marvel publish stuff faster with a much more detailed art style. I never said I hated it because of the art style. Also, I can criticize whatever I want, as long as I’m not spamming. If me discrediting the credits makes you so sad, then don’t read my posts. Also, they discredited me first so don’t try to put the blame on me for that one.

Also, you know why I’m always at the center of it? Because I say something new, I say my own opinion, I criticize and discuss the flaw in a show, I don’t just repeat what thousands of fans say and you can’t handle it, you can’t handle someone challenging what you guys love. If you guys are butthurt it’s not my problem.

Ariana Moreno

matt, we respect your view and opinion, but please don’t personally attack link for this. because you are sticking up for cast bender now, i’m gonna do the same for my friend Link here. Leave him alone. if you don’t like how things went down, just leave it for now. This is only gonna make things worse. so, we get you, but just drop it. personally attacking someone isn’t gonna get you anywhere.

Matt Brown

Oh really Im attacking Link? Sure ok, that’s exactly what’s going on.

Ariana Moreno

Yes you are, because now you are criticizing him personally and accusing him of making this fandom bitter. You are attacking him now because he doesnt see things the way you do. Not everyone has to agree with something or like it. That doesnt make them out to be bad
guys like you are tending to make out to be. Why cant you just drop it? Trying to shove things in someones face and to say the other person is automatically right is immature. You havent even read his posts and if you say when he wants to post that you will skip over it, how can you even call yourself credible when you comment against him, because you arnt willing to see where he is coming from. e

Matt Brown

You see, thats where you are wrong. Im not “attacking” Link, Im making him aware of himself. Go back and read some of Keval’s older articles, usuall who n something like this is brought up, Link seems to tbe at the center of it. For example, when Keval posted the article about the picture of Asami and Korra sparring, Link started a whole argument with Josh over what kind of uniform Asami was wearing. And all Josh did was say something different from Link. Im not attacking him for his opinion, Im making him aware of himself. For Christ’s sake, he criticized an episode of Cast Bender that he hadn’t even bothered to listen to.

Ariana Moreno

First off, it takes two to argue, so I can also say that Josh contributed to the arguing. Also, im pretty sure Link doesnt need someone like you making him aware of his behavior. He has parents already, thanks. And also im sure he is smart enough to realize how he handles discussion in a blog. Why dont you just worry about your behavior and let him worry about his?

Korrava

You make no sense. Obviously Cast Bender didn’t enjoy Korra so all they do is nit pick, and rarely ever talk about the positives. People are aloud to express their opinions, Matt. Calm yourself.

Cast Bender Podcast

Wrong. listen to any episode we give equal time to both sides. If we hated the show we wouldn’t podcast about it for 2 YEARS.

Cast Bender Podcast

I have a new question for you Link. One more comparative to what actual episode of Cast Bender. Do you feel like the ratings of each season is a good indicator for where the series is to go?

Link9150

I haven’t even watched your episode yet. At this point the ratings won’t change anything. The story of all 4 books have been written and the fate of Korra and her story is already sealed. Ratings would only affect air date and time slot.

Cast Bender Podcast

Alas, you comment even though you haven’t watched the episode. No discussion needs to be had here then.

Link9150

Oh, like your episode holds the right arguments! So, if I haven’t watched your 1-hour useless show that means I can’t comment? Who made you the chief here? Don’t forget your nasty attitude made people leave the Forum.

Cast Bender Podcast

If you want to argue our points, listen to our arguments, don’t expect me to retype them out for you.

Link9150

Can’t even summarize themph? How pathetic… Although, you’re pretty good at bullshitting for half an hour right now. That’s how desperate you are to get views? Why not use your “creative skills” to get some then?

Cast Bender Podcast

It is summarized in the post above, look. Hey, we get a collective 1000 plus views on our episodes each week during the off season and way more during the season, for spending no money on this I’d say that is fairly good.

Link9150

Then next time I give my arguments, try to counter them instead of bragging and changing what I’m trying to say.

Cast Bender Podcast

I did nether, I’ve stated that countless times. Present a argument and I’ll debate it.

Link9150

“If you were at all part of any creative industry (In fact I am, so I’m not spouting out randomness)” what is that supposed to mean?

“Of course this isn’t George Orwell, this is a graphic novel not a traditional novel, different mediums, different methods of storytelling.” I just give one small comparison trying to tell that The Rift has a very simple story and you give me this.

“You honestly can’t compare two completely different art styles and mediums. They are rendered completely differently and to say Marvel or DC is better because of their art style that is farfetched” When did I ever say that and I even said in my long reply with the pic that I never said that I think The Rift is flawed because of the art style.

Cast Bender Podcast

This is make sure you know I am not just joking around not to discredit you. Various industries just give light to things that everyone might not know.

Legama

Good episode Castbender, but you had to put this image as background? D:
Oh god, I’ve never stopped to analyze Tarrlok’s suicide scene. This scene is incredibly well done, Tarrlok’s expression is like if he was prepared to die, but at the same time seems like he knows it’s going to hurt, being also that the scene somehow captures the sadness inside him. This scene right here is one of the darkest I ever seen on a cartoon, or even on any tv series.

Ariana Moreno

very deep, and good analyzation. that is very well said.

Cast Bender Podcast

Glad you liked the image, thought it was a good one! Maybe it is time to go back and look at Tarrlok’s character again!

AvatarAlain

I think this Hiatus is worse than book 2’s honestly. In my opinion book 2’s hiatus kept us somehow updated but this hiatus is just frustrating and now i have lost all hopes for book 3 premiering soon. sence the book 2 blu-ray is coming in july and the artbook is coming in september. i believe we will not be getting any trailer or news till comic-con and the release looks like it will be in Fall Again uggh!

Link9150

This is where I have to disagree. Book 2 was way, way worse. After Comic Con 2012 we barely had any news until 2013 (at least 6 months!).

Cast Bender Podcast

I feel last off season was worse as well. I know we received info about new characters early, etc. I just feel a lot better about this off season … (so far)

Greenfire32

Dude…Book 2 news was way, way worse…I don’t even know….how you could begin to think…that there’s been less news on Book 3 than Book 2…

I don’t even…

Ifreke Umana

Nice podcast. I really can’t stand this off-season with how there is so much info we’re not getting. Book 3 has every reason to be better and I hope it lives up to that.

Cast Bender Podcast

Yeah, just put into perspective how much longer last season was and hope that it isn’t as bad this time.